paying a visit to any of my friends who are still willing to receive me;
though the only people on whom I can now depend to give me a hearty
welcome are Sir John and Lady Rogers; they don't get tired of my yarns,
and Sir John laughs at them as heartily as he did many a long year ago."

So the matter was settled; and, on reaching Portsmouth, Murray and
Stella accompanied the admiral to his very comfortable house at
Southsea, at the entrance door of which Mrs Deborah Triton--she had
taken brevet rank--stood with smiling countenance ready to receive them.
It overlooked Spithead and the Isle of Wight, with the Solent
stretching away to the westward; the entrance to Portsmouth harbour,
with steamers and vessels of all sizes running constantly in and out,
being seen at no great distance off across the common. But Sister Deb,
as the admiral generally called her, is more worthy of a description
than the house. She was remarkably like her brother, except that she
had two feet, whereas he lacked one; and that her still plump face was
free from the weather-beaten stains contracted by his honest countenance
during his days afloat. Her figure was short and round, exhibiting
freedom from care--it was such, indeed, as only a good-natured person
could possess; but her face was the index of her mind and heart. That
bore an unmistakable expression of kindness, gentleness, and
good-temper, which perfect faith in the simple truths of Christianity
could alone give. Murray felt perfectly confident that his wife and
child would be in good keeping during his absence, and his heart felt
lightened of one of its chief cares.

Next morning, Murray, accompanied by Archie, went on board the _Opal_,
which, having just been brought out of dock, lay alongside the hulk.
She was still in the hands of the riggers', who, busy as bees, swarmed
in every part, rattling down the rigging, swaying up the topmasts, and
getting the yards across. Her appearance in that condition was not
attractive; but as he surveyed her with a seaman's eye, he felt
satisfied that she was a fast craft, and well calculated for the service
on which she was to be sent.

"I have no wish to command a steamer, but I cannot help fancying that a
pair of paddles would be more likely to catch the Arab dhows we are to
go in search of than is the fastest craft under canvas," he observed to
Adair, whom he found on board.

They at once set to work to collect a crew, in which business B